DAT Study Strategy in 2 months

[Irrizistuble]

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Im planning on taking the DATs in two months. Based on the posts I have been reading for the past few months, here is the strategy I have started. Any suggestions, comments, haters, all appreciated =)

Week 1-3
CHEM - Read and outline MCAT ExamKrackers
ORGO- Read and outline MCAT ExamKrackers
BIO - Highlight AP Cliffs Bio and skim MCAT ExamKrackers

** I took all my sciences in 2008 so I think week long reviews may be sufficient.

Week 4-5
DAT Destroyer practice problems for all sciences
Review all sciences notes

Week 6
Quick Review of Math
Finish Destroyer practice problems

Week 7
PAT - CDP (I got a 17 on my first Kaplan practice exam, so I think I can kill this section in a week). I really need to work on TFE and Keyhole.

Week 8-9

Try to do about 10 practice exams and work on weak areas


1) How many practice exams does everyone here end up doing? I don't know if 10 is enough two weeks before the exam.

2) What are the most accurate/challening exams? I am deciding between Kaplan, Achiever, and Topscore

3) Am I overestimating breaking a 20 on the PAT by just CDP for one week straight?

4) Should I mix around the subjects more to keep my brain from getting fried or is it good to tackle subject by subject to be in the zone for each one?

Working 20 hrs a week, if I plan on studying 6 days a week, 6+ hours a day, I think I can pull this off. I just need to figure out how to put my entire app together in the next 4 weeks! Yikes!

 

[vlct0ria]

BUMP...I am following pretty much the same study plan (I am taking the DAT July 1st) and I too was wondering how effective it is to focus on one subject at a time as opposed to mixing it up...any help out there??

 

[miedvied]

I strongly, STRONGLY suggest mixing it up.

(1) If you focus over much on a single topic, you will just start to burn out - your attention will wander. You need some measure of variety for sanity's sake.

(2) You don't want to walk into the DATs with a big bio load fresh in your mind and chem a distant memory.

(3) Memory is a contextual exercise. By mixing topics, you have a chance to memorize each in context. I.e., orgo, then jump to metabolism, allows you to apply ideas back and forth, making each more memorable.

 

[vlct0ria]

I strongly, STRONGLY suggest mixing it up.

(1) If you focus over much on a single topic, you will just start to burn out - your attention will wander. You need some measure of variety for sanity's sake.

(2) You don't want to walk into the DATs with a big bio load fresh in your mind and chem a distant memory.

(3) Memory is a contextual exercise. By mixing topics, you have a chance to memorize each in context. I.e., orgo, then jump to metabolism, allows you to apply ideas back and forth, making each more memorable.

I'm happy about this suggestion...I am about half-way through the gen chem section in the Kaplan book and getting bored already. Maybe I'll look at bio for a few days. Thanks!

 

[suhshi]

thanks for the feedback
i think i mite mix up my strategy now

 

[sweettooth88]

hey guys,
I've just gotten done with school and ive just gotten started studying...i'm planning on locking myself up in a room with my books till i take teh dat, which i want to take in july. how soon do i need to register for it?